What's hot in home design

By David S. Jones | columnist

May 4, 2004

Goodbye and good riddance to garage-door design. For years, I've wondered why architects design so many homes with the garage as the most prominent feature. My idea of curb appeal doesn't include a concrete slab and garage doors.

Don't get me wrong. I live in such a house, and I understand that as lots get smaller, the options for what to do with the family buggy get smaller. But my house is on a big corner lot, so a side entry to the garage would have been easy.

I nearly shouted "hallelujah" when an architect speaking to an International Builders Show press conference announced that one of the emerging home design trends is to minimize dominance of garage doors and driveways. Arthur Danielian of Irvine, Calif. , said architects are using more recessed, split garages and variable lot widths to put the emphasis back on the home. He also mentioned some other trends and hot buttons in home design. I got what I wanted; now you decide whether these ideas are something you could go for.

Custom home detailing — vaulted ceilings, more beams and trusses in ceilings, enhanced interior details, arched openings.
Greater attention to kitchen design — attractive islands, varied kitchen cabinetry and lighting.
More storage, especially in attics, and larger garages
Dedicated space and outlets for computers and upgraded wiring packages for advanced technology.
Variable front-yard setbacks — homes at varying distance from the street.
Pre-entry and central courtyards to expand and enhance outdoor living.
Varied exterior elevations even when the floor plans are the same — to avoid "cookie-cutter" neighborhoods.
Flex space options — bedroom, den, home office, hobby room, or super family room in lieu of the third-car garage.
More artificial stone on exteriors.
Creative landscaping in predesigned packages.
Greater attention to street "furniture," i.e. streetlights, signs, benches, etc.
Buried or hidden transformers and telephone equipment.
More "great rooms."
Greater use of media walls, home theaters with surround sound and interactive television.
Moisture control through improved insulation and air circulation.

While architects consider these features in new home design, they see other trends emerging in communities themselves. They say homebuyers can expect to see more master-planned communities offering enhanced lifestyle amenities, greater diversity of homes and a professionally maintained environment.

Developers are exploring ways to create a "sense of place" with smaller, more identifiable neighborhoods, Danielian says. They also are giving more attention to natural open space, parks and trails. Some are offering a community Internet, an activities director and even community concierge services.

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